by Mark G. Sullivan

Created on: March 29, 2010   Last Updated: March 30, 2010

There is sentimental value in reading the newspaper each day. Quite often, that is how I remember my father who died too many years ago. Even though our discussions were short, he was always sharing a story from the daily newspaper that caught his interest. This was especially true if there was humor involved. As a result, I too search the newspaper for worthy articles to pass on to those close to me.

The relaxation found in quietly reading the news of the day, far away from a glowing screen has its appeal. The feel of the paper, ink stained fingers and the swishing sound of pages turning is a tradition too important to die.

However, having an emotional attachment to newspapers is not addressing the question. In today's digital environment, it takes seconds to read the latest breaking stories happening locally and around the world.

Further, when struggling to recall an event, the same process can be used by key wording in various search engines. If the happening was written about, there is a good chance it will be found and appear on the screen.

Still, there are readers living in rural areas, smaller communities and even neighborhood communities within large cities that find significance in local news that just will not make the digital waves.

Here is where newsprint is so important in keeping the interested parties informed and involved. In essence, the newspaper takes on a life of its own, becoming the trusted voice of the people.

Certainly, today's newspapers are smaller in width and length and even the amount of pages available to the events of the day have shrunk. Nevertheless, the content remains strong with biased editorials slanted to those in control.

Agree or disagree with the printed perspective, it achieves its goal of grabbing attention, generating discussion resulting with some interesting reading in the Letter to the Editor section.

As we all know newspapers have to compete with the speed and breadth of the World Wide Web. Having access to it gives the user an ability to reach all corners of the world at no cost except for the Internet provider. Yet the tide seems to be turning in regards to free news.

During this past year, reports have surfaced that attempts will be made to start charging for access to various new sites. For instance, Rupert Murdoch, the CEO of The News Corporation, who has spent years building one of the largest media empires in the world, has gone on record by stating, “Quality journalism is not cheap.

The digital revolution has opened many new and inexpensive distribution channels but it has not made content free. We intend to charge for all our news websites.”

Murdoch's reach goes far and wide. His ability to control how digital news is made available to the public, especially if successful in charging for news content, will dramatically change the Web.

Other news providers will quickly follow his lead, no longer allowing their news sites to be accessed without first paying a fee.

Critics of Murdoch's have stated his idea of charging for access will not take hold throughout the Web. Whether he is successful is a discussion for another day. What is known is newspapers are not free.

For the die hard reader, the cost of staying abreast of the news while enjoying the feel of paper between ones fingers will continue to be a relaxing time of each day.  

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